Name: The White Rock Hotel
Address: White Rock, Hastings, Hastings, Hastings, TN34 1JU, United Kingdom
Rating: 8

Smoke-free property

Heating

Newspapers

Terrace

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reception desk

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Rooms

Ironing

Laundry

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Breakfast

Breakfast in the room

Restaurant

Snack bar

Packed Lunches

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

No parking

Parking

Event facilities

Fax and copy machine

Meeting and presentation facilities

Conference Hall

Business

Pets allowed

Pets

Temperature control for staff

Personal protection equipment for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Personal protection equipment for guests

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the hotel

Clambers

The America Ground

Priory Meadow Shopping Centre

Summerfields Woods

Adventure Golf Hastings

Flower Makers' Museum

Stables Theatre

Rocka-a-Nore Beach

Rochester Airport

The White Rock Hotel

Hastings

My friends and I used the bar following a performance at the White Rock Theatre, it was getting late and the coffee machine was being cleaned. 
No problem for the young man behind the bar, he prepared a large pot of coffee for us plus tea!
Delicious! 
He and the other Barista on duty, sorted out some empty spirits bottles for me, I don't drink, but my hobby is to Decoupage bottles!  
They also found me a carrier bag to carry them away in! 🤗
Very helpful and friendly staff. 🤗
I promise to do a nice Tip Jar for your bar, bring it I when I next visit!🙂

Generous Spirited Staff! 🤗

Although I stayed over Christmas with limited resources the basic attention to detail was lacking 
I could not lock my door from the inside
The room was cold during the night and the heating did not come on early enough for me
The breakfast menu was confused with the pricing 
The room telephone was not answered on several occasions saying the mail box was full
I thought overpriced for the facilities 

The bar staff were wonderful 
Mist of reception staff very good

Disappointing

If you value your privacy stay away. we booked this ( 'hotel'? ) because we had read a host of good write ups. The reality of our stay was horrendous. On arrival we found the car park at the back and above the hotel which had only enough room for about a dozen cars, we were fortunate enough to get the only space left. Getting to reception was a challenge to say the least. Through a garden shed type door and into a dark tunnel dimly lit and the flooring was checkerplate metal stairs down to a checkerplate walkway, scaffolding for handrails on the stairway. At the end of the walkway we came to a door which was locked (the only door in the hotel that could be locked) when we pushed the button at the side of the door we heard a ring tone, we waited a while and as there was no response we pushed it again, this time a lady came to open the door. We were told that the lift was temporarily out of action but it should be fixed in the next few days, when we left five days  later, it was still out of action. On booking in and paying for the stay, I was in a hurry to follow the person showing us to our room and forgot to pick up my mobile phone, so I dashed back to reception and saw the manager asked him if it was there, he opened a drawer, looked on the desk and said it isnt here and went to speak to two people in reception, I walked over and as he had decided the problem was no longer his, I asked him if he could call my number as at least we may hear it ringing, he just looked at me and went back to the two people and started another conversation, I went over to him and said quite loudly "Will you please call my number before its too late. He looked really put out, but called my number, a member of staff called Daniel answered and told me he was with my wife in my room and needed to confirm it was my mobile, this was done and as it turned out this person was the only person who seemed to be intelligent enough to be in the hotel business.
On our first morning we slept in until about 10am and heard a key in the outer door and a female voice called what sounded like "cleaning" and as I had not dressed yet I called out NO and she closed the door. I went to the door and tried to lock it from inside but it is not lockable from inside, when I asked the manager why we couldnt lock our door from the inside, his reason was that people keep locking themselves in!!!! 
I decided to try the full English as it was my first breakfast there, it was 10.45am fifteen minutes to close of breakfast time. My breakfast arrived and was stone cold, the only warm thing was the eggs because I asked for poached eggs. I called one of the young girls over and asked her to feel the bacon as it is stone cold, she didnt and I asked her to take it away and re do the breakfast as it was all cold, I asked he to not put it in the microwave as it would then make the eggs hard, she brought it back four minutes later and it was in the same condition so I refused it and told her to take it away. I told the manager about this and told him that I did not want to be charged for the breakfast. 
The next morning we rose about the same time, I was sitting on the bed with a cup of tea totally naked and a key went into the door and the voice said "cleaning" I shouted NO the same as yesterday but that was ignored and a woman walked into the room and I shouted "GET OUT" and she mumbled something which may or may not have been an apology. Again I asked the so called manager about locking the door and his answer was the same. after a day out we returned to find our room door ajar, no cleaning or replenishing tea making items, just the door ajar, the manager seemed unaffected by this, even when it happened the second day. To make sure that we were not disturbed the next morning, I took the chair that was at the desk and laid it on its back so that the outer door could not be opened .
Apart from this we were told that what we ordered in the restaurant would be discounted at twenty percent. Our restaurant bill was £112.50 and our discount was £1.86 and he was using a computer..
The menu was the same every day but until our last day we decided not to risk eating there in the evening. Breakfast of toast and tea you would think would be hard to mess with, we ordered toast for two and tea for two, tha young girl brought it to us and told me to "mind the plate as its hot, encouraging I thought, but I found the butter under the toast, in a pool, I went to the counter and told the young chap that I prefer to spread my butter on the toast, not pour it, he took it away and brought it back with fresh butter. whilst we were eating, the manager walked through the restaurant pushing a bicycle, followed by another person doing the same. on our last morning, we ordered toast and tea, a young girl brought the toast and the tea on a tray and went to the bar to talk with two other young girls, I had to go over and ask for some cup to go with the tea. she just said "oh" and brought the cups and went back to the conversation. On our last evening we decided to try the pie as there couldn't be too much they could do to spoil it. The flakey pastry top was almost burnt and hollow, just top and hard bottom no pastry layers in the middle, we left that and my steak filling was a good amount but whats the use of having plenty when it is inedible?
Dress was all black which seems to be the norm these days but one young girl waited on us in shorts and doc marting boots with laces undone. we were told that there would be laundry bags in the rooms, but there were none, Daniel gave us some as I told him that I needed to have some done to have something to wear on my way home. he said it would be ready the next day as did the lady when we booked by phone. when I asked where the laundry was as it was not in our room, the lady on the desk on our last evening told me that it takes two days not one as advertised but she chased it up and came and told me that it is just going in the dryer and would be ready soon.
Our room was quite large as expected but the wardrobe was floor to ceiling and even a seven footer would not be able to reach the top cupboards, chairs in the room were broken at the front, sit in them and the front collapses and you slide off, both armchairs were in the same condition, the toilet seat had the rubber buffers missing on both seat and lid, shower door seal falling off.
We have been dog owners for many years and I still carry treats even though we no longer have a dog, but to allow them to bark continuously without attempting to quietening them, grates a bit.
When I got home and looked at the bill properly there were two gins on it that we did not order, we asked for Tanqueray and it was not available, were asked if we would like Bombay Sapphire instead, but we told the young girl that we did not like it and opted for Hendricks, whilst I was at the bar waitng for the drinks I was asked if the drinks would be going on my room bill and I said it was and told him my room number was 118, a man standing at the bar near me said "oh maybe i'll put mine on your room too, the barmaid and him laughed and I looked at the man and told him he'd better not try, I then signed the slip the barman gave me and went back to my table. 
The corridors were narrow and creaky, but then the place is old. The staff, apart from Daniel, who was extremely helpful and cared how the guests were treated, were complacent and didn't seem to care what the guests thought or how they were treated.
All in all, this holiday was a total disaster as we were left wondering what would happen next.



Our worse experience ever and it wont happen again

Our second visit of the summer, this time for seven nights (first was for four nights). Our Premier King Room was excellent, very comfortable beds, towels exchanged each day , the hospitality tray topped up daily and such a delight to wake viewing the sea and pier. 
Staff throughout the hotel were friendly, smiling and hard working. Thanks to Poppy in the restaurant for excellent service. Breakfasts were fine, the 'Little Jill' a good start to the day. We did enjoy an evening meal also which was very good value for money and piping hot. The bar was generally well stocked and served local ales on draught. Well done!
With a terrace available to enjoy the views, there was the opportunity to relax and enjoy Hastings, the town was only a short walk away and frequent buses along the seafront link the town centre and even as far as Eastbourne.
As we travelled to Hastings from the Midlands by train, there was no problem leaving cases until our departure time. Reception staff were a delight to meet.
Thank you all for making our stay a pleasant one, we look forward to our next visit to Hastings and the White Rock.



Great return visit

I wouldn’t stay here again and don’t recommend it. The hallways needed a really good hoovering and painting. The whole place looks tired. If you want a friendly and professional welcome, you aren’t really going to get one (although no one was rude). The room was tired, although the shower was pretty good. We got a sea facing room, which wasn’t really an experience but you can see the sea, which was nice. The room smelled of sewage, which was the worst bit. We knew the hotel was full so didn’t bother asking to move as we knew we were going to be out for most of the time. There’s no local information in the room and no tea or coffee (we didn’t want that facility so it didn’t bother us, and to be fair, we didn’t check inside the wardrobe). The persistent room cleaner knocked… persistently on the first morning, until I had to ask her to go away (I did politely say three times through the door that we didn’t need the room serviced). It was only after this encounter that my husband found the tiny badge sized magnet thing that stuck to the front of the door that read “do not disturb”. Honestly, what? You don’t get any breakfast included in the £110 night. 

On the plus side, it’s in such a good location opposite Hastings pier, on the seafront. The hotel car park was free and we got the last space. We had some food - a toasted sandwich with chips, which actually was very nice. The downstairs of the hotel and the bar is very nice. 

If this hotel had been £60 a night, I’d have thought ok. We didn’t stay the third night that we’d paid for. The experience wasn’t pleasant and we drove home after a two night stay. When we said we were leaving a night early at checkout (also known as handing back the key as you pay on arrival), the receptionist just said “ok” and took the key. That’s was it. 

Actually, I suggest you don’t stay here.

Not a pleasant or relaxing experience

Staff friendly.my partner asked for ice cream with his dessert which came to the table with whipped cream they changed without issue. The food  was very nice. And washed down with a cider.The shortbread tasted lovely , like it was possibly homemade and was a reasonable price. Although I didn't on this occasion I often visit with my dog and they happily provide water if you ask for it and in the past she's even had her own sausages for a reasonable price. They also sell dog ice cream .

Valentine's meal as working 14th went 13th instead.

We wanted to eat dinner outside on the terrace and were delighted that the White Rock Cafe allowed us to do so. The waitress was friendly and welcoming and made us feel very relaxed. The food was fine - great chips! Would be lovely on a sunny afternoon but even on a wintry evening it was very enjoyable. 

Great outside terrace

This is my favourite hotel & I will be back.  First time staying and I genuinely did not want to leave, I even booked another night.  The staff and owner are very obliging, friendly and with a smile.  The food was absolutely beautiful and with quick service so your not waiting around for ages.  Room service is very quick also with no added extra cost.  The rooms are quiet, extremally clean with plenty of towels, tea/coffee & toiletries.  Highly recommended.

Christmas @ The White Rock

We had an overnight stay in a standard double at the rear of the hotel. Although the least expensive, and probably smallest room option, it was perfect for our needs. The room was well equipped and the furnishings well maintained. The bathroom and bedroom were both spotlessly clean. We didn’t have breakfast but the coffee was excellent. The staff in all areas were welcoming and friendly. We couldn’t park in the hotel car park but reception gave us a pass for the pier car park opposite which was valid until 11am of the day of our departure. The one suggestion I would make is the shower in the bath really should have a grab handle for safety when getting in and out. 

Would definitely stay here again.

Excellent hotel

Really great location with sea views, even nice when the weather got a bit worse one day as the seafront gets rather windy. 

Room nice and large as well (we had a seafront one on second floor). They also had a good selection of vegan options on the menu which was a really nice surprise as thought we would struggle as wasn't aware they had options, the tofu hash for breakfast was a nice change. 

Lastly, liked that they allow dogs in, even though didn't have mine with me, enjoyed seeing dog visitors around the hotel.

The White Rock Hotel

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